Following our adventures in Uluru, we made the 3hr drive to Kings Canyon and camped overnight at the Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon). Though the facilities at the bush camp aren't as great as those at Uluru and had zero signal, it was actually a great way to switch off and get to know the rest of your campmates over the bonfire, marshmallows and a cuppa. To be honest, I had never heard of Kings Canyon prior to this trip and didn't know what to expect other than it was going to be the longest hike I've ever been on!
Kings Canyon Rim Walk
Again, it was a 5:30am rise in order to start the walk just before sunrise. The air was crisp and I was excited; yet I had some doubts about whether I was able to last the 6km walk, especially when the first obstacle to tackle on the walk was aptly named – Heart Attack Hill. yep and came equipped with a defibrillator up top too! But first, a little about Kings Canyon itself. The canyon formed as cracks in the sandstone walls eroded over millions of the years, leaving sheer rock faces towering almost 300m over the chasm below. The rugged, red sandstone rock formations is a stark contrast to the dense vegetation on the canyon floor, home to many local bush plants.
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| Heart Attack Hill |
The photo above of Heart Attack Hill, taken with my Canon EFS 10-18mm ultra-wide angle lens fails to convey the actual steepness of the hill, as it makes things appear farther than they are when in actual fact, the hill comprises of around 500 steps that are cut into the rock face. Luckily, the ascent is broken into several sections, where there are rest areas for one to catch one's breath and also to take in the magnificent panoramic views. And what a view it was–looking down over the valley and seeing the sun creep slowly over the horizon, it was well worth it! Like our guide said, once over the hill, the rest was easy.
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| Sunrise over the canyon |
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| Priscilla's crack |
The walk is broken into several sections, each with its own unique landforms and vistas. Most Aussies would be familiar with the iconic movie Priscilla: Queen of the Desert and first up on the walk is what is known as Priscilla's Crack, a V-shaped formation made famous by scenes from the movie. The sandstone domes here tower above you shaped almost like giant hives, they are both eerie and magnificent in the cool morning light. Throughout the walk, our guide pointed out particular bush plants that were once used by the Aborigines for food and hunting purposes, and many take on rather sculptural forms.
Once you reach the rim, you're offered magnificent, panoramic views of the canyon and the grandeur of its sheer sandstone walls and the chasm beneath becomes apparent. I think this is the moment I've been waiting for, nothing can quite describe the feeling of seeing the canyon in its entirety as you walk from the north wall to the southern side. For some rest and snacks, we headed down to the waterhole, also known as the Garden of Eden, where a shady pool surrounded by sandstone walls and cycads offered us some well-needed rest before making our way back up and out.
Once you reach the rim, you're offered magnificent, panoramic views of the canyon and the grandeur of its sheer sandstone walls and the chasm beneath becomes apparent. I think this is the moment I've been waiting for, nothing can quite describe the feeling of seeing the canyon in its entirety as you walk from the north wall to the southern side. For some rest and snacks, we headed down to the waterhole, also known as the Garden of Eden, where a shady pool surrounded by sandstone walls and cycads offered us some well-needed rest before making our way back up and out.
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| Sandstone domes |
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| The rim |
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| Garden of Eden |
What a way to end the trip! I must say, the Rim Walk was definitely one of the highlights and anyone with average fitness can tackle, just take it slow and take breaks when needed.
- It can get quite windy during the walk, so bring a hat or beanie
- Make sure you have at least 2L of water for the Rim Walk
- The facilities at the bush camp aren't as good as those at Uluru, make sure you have all your things.
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